Abstract: A satellite communication system using hierarchical modulation to transmit a plurality of modulated signals to sub-regions within a region. Each modulated signal includes high priority content and low priority content. The system includes a satellite equipped with a plurality of satellite transmitters coupled to a plurality of antenna elements, e.g. a phased array of antenna elements. The antenna elements are utilized selectively to direct a modulated signal from a satellite transmitter to a distinct sub-region. The satellite transmitters and antenna also cooperate to broadcast the high-priority content to the region such that a ground receiver traveling from a first sub-region to an adjacent second sub-region adjacent will not experience a loss of high-priority content. First low-priority content of a first modulated signal directed to the first sub-region is independent of second low-priority content of a second modulated signal directed to the second sub-region.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a stack of heat exchanger plate pairs that each define an internal volume and include an inlet and an outlet such that a first medium flows from the inlet to the outlet along a flow axis. The inlets together form an inlet header through the heat exchanger plate pairs and the outlets together form an outlet header through the heat exchanger plate pairs. The heat exchanger also includes an array of fins disposed between and in thermal contact with adjacent heat exchanger plate pairs. The array of fins defines flow channels between the adjacent heat exchanger plate pairs such that a second medium flows through the flow channels along the flow axis. One end of the array of fins includes a cut-out area which causes a first portion of the array of fins to be positioned laterally from either the inlet header or the outlet header.

Abstract: An electrical splice assembly includes a housing having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and an intermediate portion defining a plurality of terminal retention cavities between the forward portion and the rearward portion. A conductive bus plate is retained within the forward portion of the housing. A plurality of terminals each extend into a respective terminal retention cavity and each terminal is in electrical contact with the bus plate. Each of the terminal retention cavities is defined by 1) a pair of opposing sidewalls connected to the forward portion and to the rearward portion and 2) a pair of opposing retention beams. The retention beams each include a latch which engages a respective terminal to retain the terminals in the terminal retention cavities.

Abstract: A method is presented to extend a frequency lock range of a received RF signal in a satellite receiver. One step in the method includes analyzing data information of a preamble associated with the received satellite RF signal. Another step includes determining an estimated frequency value that is a function of the analyzed data information that further includes at least a portion of the frequency error formed therein. A further step includes comparing the determined estimated frequency value to a predetermined threshold value. Another step includes using the determined estimated frequency value when the determined frequency value is greater than the predetermined threshold value to operatively control tracking mode electronic circuitry disposed in the satellite receiver to attain frequency lock on the received satellite RF signal.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system that includes compensating a diagnostic leakage test based on a fuel consumption amount during a test interval is disclosed. The method includes establishing a leak test pressure in the EVAP system, operating the operating the associated valves and pumps such that the EVAP system is expected to be isolated, determining an actual pressure change of the EVAP system, determining an expected pressure change of the EVAP system based on vehicle operating conditions that include the fuel consumption amount, and indicating that a leak is detected if the actual pressure change differs from the expected pressure change by more than a difference threshold.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a grounding arrangement on a shielded cable which includes a conductive core, a core insulation layer, a conductive shield layer, and an outer insulation layer. An inner ferrule is positioned adjacent an end portion of the conductive shield layer that has been exposed, the inner ferrule is crimped around the core insulation layer, and the end portion is folded over the inner ferrule to radially surround the inner ferrule. An electrically conductive outer ferrule is positioned radially adjacent to the end portion and the outer ferrule is crimped radially around the inner ferrule to capture the end portion radially between the inner ferrule and the outer ferrule, thereby fixing the outer ferrule in electrical contact with the conductive shield layer.

Abstract: A wire cable assembly capable of transmitting signals at speeds of 5 Gigabits per second over a single pair or conductors. The cable has a characteristic impedance of 95 Ohms and can support transmission data according to either USB 3.0 or HDMI 1.3 performance specifications. The wire cable includes a pair of conductors, a shield surrounding the conductors, and a dielectric structure configured to maintain a first predetermined spacing between the conductors and a second predetermined spacing between said the conductors said shield. The shield includes an inner shield conductor enclosing the dielectric structure, a ground conductor external to the inner shield conductor, extending generally parallel to the pair of conductors, an outer shield conductor enclosing the inner shield conductor and the ground conductor.

Abstract: A wire cable capable of transmitting digital signals with a data rate of at least 5 Gigabits per second (Gb/s). The wire cable includes an insulated twisted pair of conductors and an inner conductive shield enclosing the conductors. The insulation of the twisted pair is bonded to provide consistent spacing between the conductors. A belting formed of a flexible dielectric is disposed between the shield and the bonded twisted pair. The belting provides consistent spacing between the twisted pair and the inner shield. The wire cable further includes a drain wire disposed outside the inner conductive shield and inside an outer conductive shield that encloses both the drain wire and the inner conductive shield. This combination of elements provides a wire cable having consistent impedance that is capable of transmitting digital signals with a data rate of at least 5 Gb/s via a single twisted pair of conductors.

Abstract: Control panel including a cover mounted on a support that is provided with a tactile pressing detection zone in which a force sensor that includes a pressure-sensitive zone is arranged behind a detection zone between the cover and the support so as to produce an electrical control signal when a user applies a determined tactile pressing force to the detection zone. The tactile pressing force is transmitted axially (X1) towards the sensitive zone via a spacer made of elastically compressible material interposed between the sensor and the cover. The spacer includes at least one compressible portion that defines a transversal top surface that bears against the cover and a transversal bottom surface that bears against the sensitive zone of the sensor. The top surface has an area smaller than the area of the bottom surface.

Abstract: A method to fit a contact portion in a plug housing by a robot is presented. Steps in the method include attaching a plug housing to a holder and gripping the contact portion by a gripping device of the robot. Other steps in the method include taking at least one spatially resolved picture by at least one optical detection device such that the plug housing and the contact portion are contained in the picture, determining a respective position of the plug housing and the contact portion in the picture by a control unit of the moveable robot, calculating a robot movement by the control unit that is a function of the determined positions, and performing the calculated movement by the robot to fit the contact portion in the plug housing. An apparatus to perform the method and another method to calibrate the control unit of the robot are also presented.

Abstract: The present application discloses a parking guidance system. The parking guidance system is mounted on a vehicle and includes a camera, a display device with a display correction system, a parking mode selection apparatus, a parking area selection apparatus, a first turning guidance apparatus, and a second turning guidance apparatus. The camera is mounted at the rear of the vehicle to capture the image showing environment behind the vehicle. The display device with a display correction system is coupled to the camera and is configured to display an image corrected by the display correction system. The parking mode selection apparatus is coupled to the display device. The parking mode selection apparatus displays a predicted parking area on the display device. The parking area selection apparatus is coupled to the display device. The parking area selection apparatus displays a parking guidance area on the display device. The first turning guidance apparatus is coupled to the display device.

Abstract: The present speckle reduction device comprises an optical element intended to be passed through by the coherent light beam to be treated. It also includes means able to cause heating of the said optical element; and a cooling element coupled to the said optical element so as to be able to cool the latter. A control module is configured to control the heating means and the cooling element so as to create thermal perturbations in the optical element, causing corresponding variations in the refractive index of the said optical element. The optical element is a piezoelectric crystal which is excited in a specific deformation mode causing its heating.

Abstract: A vehicle audio apparatus such as a car radio includes a casing defined by external walls and electrical components mounted on a printed circuit board. The radio also includes a cooling system having a fan arranged in a first external wall of the casing, an opening arranged in a second opposite external wall, and a cooling plate which forms a heat sink and which is adjacent to at least one electrical component producing heat. The cooling plate and an associated internal cover plate have a combined shape optimized for guiding the air flow between the fan and the cooling opening.

Abstract: An assembly for packaging one or more electronic devices in die form. The assembly includes substrates on opposite sides of the assembly, with lead frames between the electronic devices and the substrates. The substrates, lead frames, and electronic devices are sintered together using silver-based sintering paste between each layer. The material and thicknesses of the substrates and lead frames are selected so stress experienced by the electronic devices caused by changes in temperature of the assembly are balanced from the center of the assembly, thereby eliminating the need for balancing stresses at a substrate level by applying substantially matching metal layers to both sides of the substrates.

Abstract: A system to align a vehicle in a parking location includes a plurality of heat generating devices, such as infrared LEDs, arranged in a surface of the parking location to produce a distinctive thermal pattern. A multiple zone temperature sensor is mounted to view the heat generating devices and is configured to output thermal data for each of the zones. A controller is configured to receive the thermal data and determine a thermal map of the plurality of heat generating devices. A display provides a graphic indication of the thermal map and a thermal alignment target. The system may be used to align a vehicle having a capture resonator of a wireless power transfer system to a parking location having a source resonator of a wireless power transfer system.

Abstract: A method to electrically and mechanically connect at least one wire conductor to a terminal includes the steps of cutting and stripping a portion of an insulation outer layer along an end section of the at least one wire conductor to expose a lead of the at least one wire conductor. A further step includes applying a bonding process to the exposed lead to break down oxides disposed on the lead. A further step in the method is crimping the lead having the applied bonding process to the terminal to form a crimp connection connecting the at least one wire conductor to the terminal.

Abstract: A wire cable assembly including a wire cable and a contact element. The contact element is configured to axially receive the wire cable and is formed to attach the wire cable to the contact element. A portion of the contact element is formed to define a single pair of indentation arrangements. The pair of indentation arrangements consists of a first indentation arrangement that diametrically opposes a second indentation arrangement. The contact element may also define a pair of humps adjacent to each of the grooves in the single pair of grooves. The wire cable may further include a conductive inner core, a first insulation layer surrounding the inner core, and an outer wire layer surrounding the first insulation layer. The wire cable assembly may further include an inner ferrule and an outer ferrule with the outer wire layer disposed between the inner ferrule and the outer ferrule.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing the performance of a refueling event detection system for a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of a) determining a fuel change amount based on a difference of an indicated fuel amount and a previously indicated fuel amount, b) determining a consumed amount of fuel consumed by the engine since a prior refueling event was detected, and c) diagnosing the performance of the refueling event detection system based on the consumed amount and the fuel change amount.

Abstract: An animal deterrent device (ADD) includes a non-yielding base containing an array of animal deterring elements extending outwardly away therefrom. The base of the ADD is configured for deployment on at least one external surface of a transducer associated with a electrical charging system (ECS) used to electrically charge an energy storage device (ESD) on a vehicle. An array of animal deterring elements are respectively spaced apart a sufficient distance one-to-another and have respective heights so as to fill a space so that animals, such as a dog or a cat, are discouraged from residing on, or adjacent to at least one external surface of the transducer when the transducer that includes the ADD is disposed within a ground clearance of the vehicle. A method of using the ADD is also presented that includes a step of the ADD being formed in a mold in a single molding operation.